Olympic medalist visits Dayspring Academy

WHITE HOUSE – Erin Hamlin knows a thing or two about adversity and Friday afternoon she shared her story with students at Dayspring Academy.

Hamlin, who won the bronze medal in the single Luge event in the Winter Olympics, told students about her journey, Which began when she was 12 years of age and peaked this year when she won her medal on the biggest stage for her sport, but talked about the importance of never giving up and how important practice is in every situation.

"I know what it's like to have expectations on you and not be fortunate enough to meet those expectations," said Hamlin. "In 2009, I won the gold medal in the World Games so I was expected to medal in the 2010 Olympics.

"Not only did I not medal that year, but I finished in 16th place. I could've quit then, but I used that experience as motivation for this year's Olympics, so when I did medal, it was the greatest feeling I've ever had."

Hamlin shared her story with elementary students.

"Perseverance and practice pays off," Hamlin continued. "It doesn't matter what it is, the Olympics, homework, or a sport that you play now. You need both perseverance and practice if you're going to become good and get better at you're doing.

"I have to practice more than most of you probably ever will at any sport that you might do, but that's because this is my job. This is what I do for a living and I've been able to see many different countries that I would've never been able to see if I hadn't medaled. So remember, dream big and it is possible for you to do whatever you might want to do."

Hamlin took questions after her speech. She answered all the questions before moving on to another talk with the high school age students at the school.

"Getting to talk to students like this is something that all of us really enjoy doing," said Hamlin after her speeches. "Being able to introduce them to the sport of luge is something that we all think is important because you never know where the next medalist is going to come from.

"It may not be in my sport, it may be in another sport altogether, but if we can touch just one student and give them the drive to take up a sport, and excel in that sport then we've done our job."